Step 1

Dissolve your yeast in your warm water in a large bowl. Stir together for about 1 minute until mostly combined.

Step 2

Add in your salt, sugar and butter and stir everything together.

Step 3

Add in your flour, 1 cup at a time until dough is thick and no longer sticky. Add more flour 1 TBS at a time if needed to make sure dough isn't sticky. (Poke dough with your finger, and dough should bounce back - then it is ready)

Step 4

Lightly flour a flat surface.

Step 5

Knead your dough for 3 minutes and form into a ball.

Step 6

Oil a large bowl with nonstick spray and place dough in. Cover bowl with a towel and place in a warm area.

Step 7

Allow to rest in warm area for about 30 minutes.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Step 9

Bring 9 cups of water with ½ cup of baking soda to boil.

Step 10

Cut your dough ball into 6 sections.

Step 11

Roll each section into long ropes about 20-22 inches long.

Step 12

Cut each rope into about 10-12 1.5 inch pieces.

Step 13

Drop one rope worth of pretzel bites into your baking soda bath and let sit for 20-30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone liner.

Step 14

Beat together your egg and 1 TBS water in a small bowl.

Step 15

Brush egg over each pretzel bite and place on prepared pan.

Step 16

Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes or until pretzel tops are a nice golden brown.

Step 17

Remove from oven.

Step 18

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Step 19

Dip each pretzel bite into melted butter then into cinnamon sugar mixture.

Step 20

Set back on tray and repeat with additional pretzel bites.

Step 21

Mix together your butter and cream cheese until smooth.

Step 22

Add in your powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until completely combined. (Add in milk 1/2 TBS at a time, if needed to make dip softer and smoother) Microwave for 20 seconds to reheat if you're not using immediately.